Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 2 May 2022

Wilson County Beekeepers Association President Carey Mitchell called the May 2, 2022 meeting to order at the Ward Ag Center.  Forty-one members and guests were in attendance.  Minutes of the April meeting were approved as posted in the last newsletter.  The reported checkbook balance is $xxx.xx.
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Old Business Discussed:

• All new supply catalogs for 2022 have been received and copies were in the closet for anyone needing.
• Carey reminded everyone to be sure to register their bees. This can be done online…just google apiary registration/TN
• Remember your bee space…keep those frames tight to avoid extra comb that you don’t want
• At last month’s meeting, Tracy Finegan (TBA North Middle TN VP) was looking for a liaison from each club in her region. Tim Lankford volunteered (by way of Jamie Irons).  Thanks Tim!
• This Saturday, May 7, will be our annual Field Day at Sterling’s. If it rains, the alternate day will be May 21.  If you are planning on attending, please let Petra know so we have a tentative headcount.  This is an excellent opportunity for newbees to get into a hive with experienced beekeepers.  Thanks Sterling!!!
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New Business Discussed:                                                             

• New hats are in…check them out…$10 each
• Petra stated that she has the Fair Schedule for anyone wanting to sign up early
• Petra asked for bee-themed items for the Fair Raffle Basket
• The June picnic was discussed: June picnic will be June 6 at 7:00 pm with RSVP due by June 4.  This is for members and their immediate families.  Club will be providing the barbeque and buns, and drinks.  Each family is asked to bring a Covered Dish AND a Dessert.  Per our November 2021 election, the two charities we will be supporting are:  Carry the Load and Hives for Heroes (you can give to either-or, both, or none—the choice is yours).  We will not be granting any New Beekeeper Scholarships, as we did not have a short course in 2020.
• Jessica Dodds announced that Honeybee TN is working with the Nashville Zoo to establish a working apiary. They will also be working on an observation hive along with NABA.  The Zoo is wanting to put in a pollinator garden as some sort of screen but they don’t have the resources for seeds and plants.  They have applied for some grant monies, but Jessica asked if WCBA would be willing to donate to the cause.  She started out by asking for $500, but after some discussion the club approved $250 to help them get started.
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Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• You should be watching your hives and honey supers
• When super is half full of nectar, you need to add another super
• Place the new super over the brood and under the half full super
• You need to keep an extra storage super on the hive to aid in drying the nectar.
• Continue to check for swarm cells.
• Once they start swarm cells, they will eventually swarm
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What’s blooming (at our house) that the bees are working: (before the shows)

• Burning Bush
• Clovers
• Creeping Charlie
• Cucumber tree
• Honeysuckle bush
• Locust
• Paulownia
• Poplars
• Wild Cherry
• Willow
• Blackberries are on the verge of blooming
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New Book Review:  No one had anything to contribute
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Program:  Lynda Rizzardi from the Knox County Beekeepers was on hand to get our entries ready for the Fair and resale with a very interesting and entertaining program including demonstrations.
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Announcements:

• May 7—Field Day at Sterling’s
• May 21—Field Day alternate at Sterling’s
• June 4—RSVP Petra with picnic attendees
• June 6—WCBA Picnic—Each family to bring a covered dish AND a dessert
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Door Prizes:

• Greeting Cards from Wounded Warrior Project—Kenny Birdwell
• Wax Foundation donated by Lanny Correll—Doug Davis
• J-Hook hive tool—Shelley Flint
• Honey Candy—Russ Davis
• Hive Tool—Cecil Ray
• Pro Health—Loki Stout
• Beetle Traps donated by Beth McClain—Ellie Wilson
• Butterfly Planter donated by Susan Crawford—Jerry Wilson
• Pink T-shirt—Joeleen Davis
• Frame Grip—Katie Wilson
• Smoker Fuel—Steve Brewer
• Vitex—Leonard Walker
• New WCBA hat—Sheril Ray
• Coasters donated by Kenny Birdwell—Jeff Crutchfield
• Dozen duck eggs donated by Jeremy Blackwell—Donel King
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The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm for refreshments.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $_______________

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
May 2, 2022

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